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The New Heaven Reef Conservation Program is designed not to teach students how to dive, but how to interact with the marine environment in a positive way. Through the course, students will become proficient in coral reef ecology, research, and restoration and participate in a wide variety of conservation activities both on land and under the sea. The unique location and situation on Koh Tao provides the perfect location to learn about coral reefs and the marine environment and our school has a variety of learning options to choose from. Whether you just want to spend a day or two learning about what we do or want to spend a month actively participating in real projects or get certified as a research diver, we can accommodate you.
Course Length
1 Day
Certification: None
Description: Any diver certified as PADI or SSI Advanced Diver may join the NHRCP program on a trial basis for your choice of any of the following dives:
- Basic Reef Ecology and species identification
- Biorock Artificial Reef Restoration Basics
- Giant Clam Nursery basics and maintenance
- Artificial reef theory and maintenance
Cost: 1,500 baht
Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on topics described above
3 DAY COURSE
The 3 day course is designed 
Certification: SSI ECOlogical Diver
Description: Any diver certified as PADI or SSI Advanced Diver may participate in the 3 day program to receive a basic certification in marine ecology and conservation theory for anybody curious about or wishing to learn about marine research and restoration but does not have the time to participate in the long-term projects.. Participants may choose from any of the dives listed in the current project list, but a typical schedule is as follows:
- Day 1
- “Intro to Coral Reef Ecology” & “EMP Research Techniques” Lectures
- 1 EMP Survey Dive
- Day 2
- “Intro to Biorock© Technology and research” Lecture
- 1 Dive on the Biorock
- Short Underwater Clean-up
- Day 3
- “Intro to Coral Nurseries” Lecture
- 1 Dive to maintain and take data on the current Coral Nurseries
Cost: 5,600 baht
Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, course materials relevant to dives completed, and CD of pictures from the dives
1 – 4 WEEK  COURSES
Longer courses are on offer to give students a more in-depth understanding of the research and restoration techniques used by professionals around the world, and also includes the SSI ECOlogical and the SSI/Save Koh Tao Ecological Monitoring Program certifications. By participating in the course, students can become more aware of global threats to reefs and about what can be done. Furthermore, they will contribute to conservation efforts here on the island and learn valuable skills which they will take with them and apply in other areas around the globe. It is through programs like this and the fees the students pay that allow us to fund and continue all of the great projects here on the island.
1 Week
Certification: SSI ECOlogical Diver
Description: Any diver certified as PADI or SSI Advanced Diver may participate in the 1 week program to receive a basic certification in marine ecology and conservation theory.
- Introduction to Marine Ecosystems and Ecology (dive to identify Marine Invertebrates in accordance with the Ecological Monitoring Program [EMP])
- Biorock Basics and maintenance (dive to transplant corals to the Hin Fai Biorock)
- Artificial Reef basics (dive to transplant corals on to and maintain artificial reefs)
- Coral Nursery Basics and maintenance (dive to transplant corals on and off the coral nursery)
- Coral Reef Research and Monitoring (dive to asses fish abundance along a transect line as part of the EMP program)
Cost: 10,000 baht
Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, course materials relevant to dives completed, and DVD of pictures from the dives
2 Week
Certification: SSI ECOlogical Diver, SSI Ecological Monitoring Program Diver
Description: Any diver certified as PADI or SSI Advanced Diver may participate in the 2 week program to receive a basic certification in marine ecology and conservation theory. The standard 2-week schedule includes all of the dives from the 1 Week program plus the following additional topics/dives:
- Giant Clam Nursery basics and maintenance (dive to maintain giant clam nurseries and to asses giant clam health and abundance in reef areas)
- Climate Change and Threats to reef health, Advanced biorock techniques (dive to monitor and collect data on the Hin Fai Biorock)
- Advanced artificial reef Techniques (dive to asses various artificial reef types and methods around the island
- Basic coral anatomy and assessing reef health and coral coverage (dive to complete the EMP substrate monitoring dive for coral growth forms, health, and abundance)
- Advanced coral nursery techniques (dive to collect data and transplant corals from nurseries to the natural reef areas)
Cost: 19,900 THB
Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate, and a DVD of pictures from the dives
3 Week
Certification: SSI ECOlogical Diver, SSI Ecological Monitoring Program Diver
Description: for students wishing to get more in depth understanding of coral reef management and conservation techniques, includes all of the dives described in the 1 & 2 Week programs, plus the following additional dives/lectures
- Coral Diseases and compromised health states (dive to asses and identify states of compromised health or coral diseases
- Drupella Snails: Assessing levels of coral predation and balance on the reef (dive to survey and collect Drupella snails from areas where abundance is too high)
- Monitoring coral growth rates using photography (dive to photograph tagged corals on the Hin Fai Biorock or other artificial reefs)
- Advanced coral restoration techniques - Coral Spawning and reproduction (dive to asses coral fecundity and success of various restoration projects)
- Water quality sampling and testing (coupled with other dives being conducted on that day)
Cost: 25,300 THB
Includes: Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate, and a DVD of pictures from the dives
4 Week
Certification: SSI ECOlogical Diver, SSI Ecological Monitoring Program Diver, letter of recommendation from the NHRCP
Description: for students wishing to get more in-depth understanding of coral reef management and conservation techniques, gain entry level certification to join with other reef management groups, or start their own conservation program. Includes all of the dives described in the 1, 2, & 3 Week programs, plus the following additional skills/topics
- Assessing coral reef health and abundance using photography and the CPCe computer program
- Data entry and analysis
- Reef sampling techniques
- Coral recruitment studies
- Constructing artificial reefs and coral nurseries
Cost: 30,800
Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate, and a DVD of pictures from the dives
Check out more pictures and chat with past students by signing onto the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program Facebook Group
Internships/Thesis Assistance
There is no better way to enrich and solidify your education than participating in 'real world' work and internship experiences. As a larger percentage of people are attending universities each year, it is vital that students looking for work after graduation set themselves apart by having experience in areas of their major. At New Heaven, we are proud to offer students the unique experience of not only getting certified and working on marine and island conservation and management projects, but also the experience of being and assistant instructor to new students through are internship programs.
We have helped many students complete academic internships (Master's Thesis, PhD Thesis, undergraduate honors or degree projects) or training for position with conservation groups elsewhere in the world. Because of our small program size you will get one-on-one assistance and get to participate in a wide range of activities in a leadership position. Internships process and programs vary per student, contact us directly at
อีเมลนี้จะถูกป้องกันจากสแปมบอท แต่คุณต้องเปิดการใช้งานจาวาสคริปก่อน
for more information about these opportunities.
Certification: SSI ECOlogical Diver, SSI Ecological Monitoring Program Diver, letter of recommendation from the NHRCP
Description: The internship program is directed a university students pursuing a career in coral reef conservation or management. The internship can be completed by any range of students, from pre-college through PhD level. Often, students receive can receive credit from their universities for the time spent here. The internship consiusts of the 4 Week program, plus up to 5 months of working as an assistant instructor for the program, diving everyday and pursuing whichever projects you are most interested in while helping new studnets in the course. For Masters or PhD students, we also offer the following assistance:
- Thesis question planning
- Literature review and thesis background help, access to previous student papers
- Equipment, materials, data collection assistants, and other resources for completing a thesis
- Plus access to our extended database of previously collected data
Cost: 35,000 THB for the first 3 months, then 6,000 THB per each additional month (max. 6 months)
Includes: Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate, and a DVD of pictures from the dives
Course Requirements
To begin the NHRCP courses you must be certified by PADI or SSI as an Advanced Level Diver. This means that non-divers coming to do the program must first complete the Open Water course (3 Days, 9,800 THB) and the Advanced Course (2-3 Days, 8,500 THB). Both of which can be done with the New Heaven Dive School. Thus, a non-diver coming for 2 weeks would spend the first week learning to dive, and the second week learning the conservation. The course proces above would then be changed to reflect this, so please write to us with your specific situation so we can quote you the correct price.
Also note that participants must be able to carry a gear bag on and off the boat, ascend stairs, and work outside and should be of physical condition to do so.
Diving is about expanding your limits; increasing your potential. And we should take that same attitude with us after we leave the water. By encouraging stewardship and responsible business practices we believe dive schools will soon be rated not by how many certifications they pump out, but by their social and environmental impact.
Prices will vary depending on your present certification level so please contact us for more information about prices and schedules for these programs.
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